VITAMIN-A-DEFICIENCY IN THE SOUTH-PACIFIC

Vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and blin dness among children. Although vitamin A deficiency is known to affect many children in developing countries, the magnitude of the problem i n the South Pacific region is unclear. Methods: Five cross-sectional s urveys for vitamin A deficiency were conducted between 1989 and 1992 i n the Republic of Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Republic of Vanuatu, Solomon I slands and the Cook Islands. Results: In total, 10 673 children betwee n the ages of 6 and 72 months were examined for clinical signs of vita min A deficiency (nightblindness and xerophthalmia) The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 14.76% in the Republic of Kiribati, 1.55% in Solomon Islands, 0.59% in the Cook Islands, 0.28% in Tuvalu, and 0.11% in Van uatu. The most common clinical findings were Bitot's spots followed by nightblindness Xerophthalmia was more common among boys (Kiribati P < 0.001, Solomon Islands P = 0.03) and tended to occur in older prescho ol children (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: These studies suggest that vita min A deficiency is a public health problem in the Republic of Kiribat i and Solomon Islands.